BIIF water polo: Fourth spot in league up for grabs

There was never much doubt, but now it’s official: Kamehameha can make plans for its annual appearance at the Hawaii High School Athletic Association water polo tournament.

The Warriors wrapped up the Big Island Interscholastic Federation regular-season championship Saturday, easing to two victories at Naeole Pool in Keaau.

While Kamehameha (9-0) has long been the league’s top team — it hasn’t lost a BIIF match since 2009 — Kealakehe established itself as No. 2 after earning its second victory this season against Hawaii Preparatory Academy. One more spot at states, which are April 30 to May 3 at Naeole Pool, will be available at BIIFs, April 25-26 at Naeole Pool.

Konawaena avenged an earlier loss to Waiakea, so the only drama left to be decided until then is which one will grab the fourth spot in the league semifinals. The regular season concludes with five games Saturday at Kona Community Aquatic Center, and the Wildcats will play in three of them.

Here’s a look at Saturday’s action:

Kealakehe 8, HPA 6

Mehana Pilago powered in five goals as the Waveriders prevailed in what was most likely a preview of the BIIF semifinals.

Marissa Bryant-Manago scored twice and Sarah Somsanguansit added a goal for Kealakehe (5-2), which will have three games Saturday.

Louisa Duggan and Seychelle Francis each posted two goals for Ka Makani (5-4), which also got scores from Sarah Im and Hannah Twigg-Smith.

Kamehameha 10, Hilo 3

Missing three starters, the Warriors didn’t skip a beat, getting four goals from Halia Nahale-a and a hat trick by Chloe Martins-Keliihoomalu. Pua Wong scored twice and Esther Kerr also tallied a goal.

Hayden Rooke led the Vikings (0-9) with two goals, and Ashleigh Kahawaiolaa Daffron also scored.

Konawaena 11, Waiakea 7

Mikala Fernandez poured in four goals and Chloe Delaney recorded a hat trick as the Wildcats earned their best victory of the season. Bailey Walters and Kaulana Ruedy came through with two scores apiece for Konawaena (3-4).

Bryant-Manago led the charge with five goals as seven players scored for the Waveriders, including Pilago, who posted a hat trick. Anna Thomas, Naia Hemsher and Somsanguansit each added two goals, and Molly-Ann Jacoby and Naomi Tomlison also scored.

Kasey Kawakami scored twice for Waiakea, while Katrina Ombac and Kalili each had one.

HPA 5, Hilo 3

In one of the lowest-scoring matches of the season, two goals each from Im and Duggan and one from Twigg-Smith was enough to boost HPA.

Alana Flaherty scored twice for the Vikings, and Rooke also had a goal.